For several years, time and circumstance have managed to separate Hallie Knight and her old friend Susan Trench, but when Susan disappears from her grandfather's seaside home on historic Topsail Island, it is Hallie whom Nicholas Trench calls for help. When Hallie arrives from California, she finds the old man surrounded by an odd collection of friends and relatives, all of whom seem to know a little more than they're willing to tell about Susan Trench and her last days on Topsail. Underlying Hallie's anxiety about Susan as well as her growing concern for Nicholas Trench is the personal problem of her estrangement from a husband she loves. Threads intertwine and questions build to the pitch of what may be a fearful answer.

Marlene S. (
mario) wrote on 10/3/2006...
This was a pretty good book. Good characterization and it takes place in an unusual place -- a barrier island off the coast of North Carolina. The plot kept me reading.
Another one that is great for light reading.
A great mystery...typical Phyllis Whitney
Seeking shelter from her own broken dreams, hallie Knight answers a cryptic plea for help from Nicholas Trench, the grandfather of her dearest friend. Susan mysteriously diappeared from home one night off north Carolina's historical Topsail Island-and Hallie is Nick's last hope of findingher.
But surrounding Nick is a family as headstrong as they are suspicious-for at the heart of the matter is a vast inheritance. And as Hallie is lured deeper into a mystery nestled in a quagmire of bitterness, dark betrayal, and subtle menace, she becomes certain of one thing: this sunny, seaside paradise harbors dangerous and profoundly shattering secrets...
Seeking shelter from her own broken dreams, Hallie Knight answers a cryptic call from Nicolas Trench, the grandfather of her dearest friend. Susan mysteriously disappeared from her home one night off North Carolina's historical Topsail Island -- and Hallie is Nick's last hope of finding her.
But surrounding Nick is a family as headstrong as they are suspicious -- for at the heart of the matter is a vast inheritance. And as Hallie is lured deeper into a mystery nestled in a quagmire of bitterness, dark betrayal, and subtle menace, she becomes certain of one thing: this sunny, seaside paradise harbors dangerous and profoundly shattering secrets...
Whitney is always a pleasant read and this one is no exception!!